Garbage can holder



Oct. 25, 1966 v. o. BENNETT GARBAGE CAN HOLDER INVENTOR Vern Orville Bennett United States Patent 3,280,988 GARBAGE CAN HOLDER Vern 0. Bennett, Johnny Creek Road, Rte. 1 S., Pocatello, Idaho Filed Dec. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 514,527 9 Claims. (Cl. 211-71) This invention is a novel portable garbage can holder, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a garbage can holder which involves the use of a single substantially vertical rectangular frame for supporting a row of garbage cans, the single frame thereby providing an open side for the holder, and the single vertical frame being axle-supported at a point well within the front end of the frame, and the frame being adjustable by means of braces connecting the top of the frame with said axle to permit vertical adjustment of the angularity of the frame on said wheeled axle, and the frame being shiftable axially of the axle to provide for right and left hand open storage areas for the row of cans, the frame having hooks on its upper leg for engagement by the handles of the respective cans to support the cans above the ground surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder of the above type in which the frame is angled approximately to the vertical and is attachable to the wheeled axle on either side thereof so that by reversing the braces the holder can be used for either right or left" hand storage areas. A unique feature of my holder is that it can transport one to four twenty-gallon garbage cans from the house or garage storage area to the place where the garbage is collected by the usual sanitation department. In some areas it is a chore to individually carry all the garbage cans to the collection area. My holder renders the chore easy to perform by merely pushing or pulling the holder supporting all the cans thereon to the desired location. My holder can store one to four twenty-gallon garbage cans with lids in a convenient manner so that the cans Will be orderly, available and accessible for use, the can lids being fastened by chains to the vertical frame to prevent their loss by wind, neglect or accident.

The cans are suspended on the holder so that they oifer resistance to animals attempting to get into the contents of the cans. My holder reduces the handling of the cans as the cans may be used while positioned in their normal positions on the holder to receive any disposable garbage or other items. My holder being portable can be used in the yard to collect refuse, fallen leaves or grass clippings. My holder necessitates making only one trip to the garbage pick-up area instead of making separate trips for each garbage can.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my novel garbage can holder showing a row of four garbage cans positioned thereon.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 33, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed section showing a handle of a garbage can engaging the handle-receiving member on the top of the frame to support the can on the holder.

As shown, my novel garbage can holder preferably comprises an open rectangular frame consisting of a top member 1a, bottom member 1b, and end members 1c,

said frame being preferably made of piping rounded at the corners, one end of the upper member 1a being extended as at 1d (FIGS. 1 and 2) and having pivoted thereto a handle bar 2, whereby the handle bar may be swung downwardly as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1, for purposes of better storage, but when the handle 2 is lifted into the horizontal position shown in full lines in FIG. 1, the same will normally remain in such position for the purpose of transporting the carrier.

As shown, the frame la-lc is adapted to be substantially vertically positioned on an axle 3 (FIG. 3) at a point well within the front end of the frame, i.e., the end opposite from the handle 2, the axle 3 being disposed transversely of the frame la-lc and positioned substantially a distance from the end of the frame approximating the diameter of a garbage or like can C, which is to be carried or supported on the holder.

As shown, the axle 3 carries at each end a wheel 4 journaled thereon to support the front end of the frame la-1c, and the lower member 1b of the frame is preferably secured to the top of the axle 3, which may be of rectangular cross-section, by means of a clamp 5 (FIG. 3) which surrounds or embraces the lower member 1b and is removably bolted as at 5a to the axle 3, the clamp 5 being so positioned on the axle that the row of garbage cans C will be substantially centered on the axle as shown in FIG. 3. If desired, a gusset plate A carried by the lower member 1b may be interposed between the clamp 5 and axle 3 to maintain the axle normal to the member 112.

To allow for the usual upward taper of the cans C, I provide a pair of straps 6 and 7, the vertical strap 6 having a flange at its lower end secured by a bolt 6a to the top of the axle 3 between the adjacent wheel 4 and the clamp 6, the upper end of the strap 6 being arcuately curved to fit over the top of the upper member 1a of the frame la-lc, as shown in FIG. 3, where it is secured by a thumb screw 8 (FIG. .3) or the like. The inclined strap 7 has a flange at its lower end secured by bolts 7a (FIG. 3) to the top of axle 3 adjacent the opposite wheel 4, and the upper end of the strap 7 is arcuately formed to fit over the top of the upper member 1a and is secured to the member 1a by the same thumb screw or bolt 8 which secures the top of the strap 6 to the frame member 1a. If desired, the end portions of the axle 3 may be provided with series of holes whereby the bolts 6a and 7a may be adjusted axially of the axle to control the inclination of the frame la-lc. Also, the frame la-lc may be shifted and the straps 6 and 7 may be reversed on the axle 3 in event it is desired to mount the frame la-lc adjacent the opposite end of the axle 3 from that shown in FIG. 3, the frame being thereby shiftable on the axle 3 to provide for right and left hand open storage areas.

As shown, the garbage cans C are usually provided with hinged handles H at opposite sides, and when the cans C are positioned on the holder the handles H adjacent the upper member 1a of the frame would be engaged over lugs 9, as shown more particularly in FIG. 4, so i that each of the cans would be suspended by the handles H from the lugs 9 on the holder frame with the lower periphery of the can contacting the lower member 1b of the frame, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, each can C may be readily positioned from the open side of the holder by merely placing the handle H thereof over the lug 9, whereupon the can would be suspended by the handle and maintained in substantially vertical position on the holder due to the inclination of the frame la-lb on the axle 3 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown, each lug 9 preferably comprises a short length of angle iron welded at its apex to the top of the upper member 1a of the frame opposite each can C, the legs of the angle being inclined upwardly and outwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

A lug '9 would be provided for each can C which is removable and replaceable in the holder from the open side thereof.

Each can C is provided with a lid L and with a centrally disposed handle L, and on the top member 1a between each pair of cans C, I provide eyes 10, each eye being provided with a pair of chains 11 and engaged respectively with the eyes and the handles L of each pair of lids L, so as to prevent loss by wind, neglect or accident.

The end of the frame la-lb opposite from the wheeled axle 3 is supported by means of a leg 12 carrying at its lower end a ground engaging cross-piece 12a, the leg 12 being substantially equal to the radius of the wheels 4 so as to normally support the frame lat-1c on the wheels 4 in substantially horizontal position.

Thus the main features of my holder are directed to the use of a single rectangular frame 1a-1c (instead of the usual pair of parallel rectangular frames) thus providing an open side to the holder; also directed to the fact that the single vertical frame is axle-supported at a point well within the front end of the frame, and the vertical frame is adjustable by the braces 6 and 7 to permit vertical adjustment of the angularity of the frame on the axle; also directed to the feature wherein the single vertical frame is shiftable on the axle to provide for right and left hand open storage areas; also directed to the provision of the fixed hooks 9 on the upper leg 1a of the frame which engage the handles H of the cans C to support the cans above the ground surface.

The frame may be constructed of inch steel tubing. The frame is a rectangle with the handle extending beyond one of the longer sides. To the top of the frame spaced angle iron hooks 9 are affixed, the same being spaced apart approximately the diameter of one garbage can. One handle H of each garbage can C is hooked over the hooks 9 to suspend the garbage can in an upright position. The frame 1a-1c from which garbage cans C are suspended is connected to the axle :and wheel assembly 3-4, approximately 18 inches from the end opposite the handle 2 to form a fulcrum when lifting all the cans for transporting. The frame la-lc is angled 10 and attached to the axle and wheel assembly 3-4 on either side so that by reversing the pair of braces 67 the holder can be used for either righ or left hand storage areas.

A unique feature of the holder is that being portable it can transport one to four twenty-gallon garbage cans from the house or garage storage area to the location where garbage is collected by the department of sanitation. The holder can store one to four twenty-gallon garbage cans and lids in a convenient manner so that the cans will be orderly, available, and accessible for use. The can lids L are fastened by chains 11 to the frame 1a1c to prevent their loss by wind, neglect, or accident. The cans are stored so they offer resistance to animals attempting to get into the contents of the cans. The holder can also be used in the yard to collect refuse, fallen leaves, or grass clippings.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A portable can holder for supporting a row of garbage cans or the like having side handles and removable lids, comprising a wheeled axle; a substantially vertical rectangular open frame carried by said axle at right angles thereto adjacent one end thereof; a pair of straps on opposite sides of the frame respectively connecting the top of the frame with opposite end portions respectively of the axle to maintain the vertical inclination of the frame; a row of spaced hooks on the top of the frame receiving the side handles respectively of a row of cans thereby suspending the row of cans in substantially vertical position above the ground level and substantially centered on the axle with the lower peripheries of the cans engaging the bottom of the frame; members on the top of the frame disposed between respective pairs of cans; and a pair of chains anchored in each member and connected with the lids of each pair of cans respectively.

2. In a holder as set forth in claim 1, said axle being disposed within the front end of the frame a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a can.

3. In a holder as set forth in claim 2, a supporting leg at the opposite end of the frame having a ground engaging cross-member, said leg being substantially equal to the radius of an axle wheel.

4. In a holder as set forth in claim 1, an extension of the top of the frame at the end thereof opposite from the axle; and a handle pivoted to said extension adapted to swing downwardly into inoperative position when not in use.

5. In a holder as set forth in claim 1, said frame being shiftable and said braces being reversible on the axle whereby the frame may be positioned on the axle adjacent either end of the axle to provide for right and left hand open storage areas 'for the cans.

6. In a holder as set forth in claim 5, a gusset plate and clamp carried by the lower end of said frame; and said axle having series of holes therein adjacent each end for receiving bolts connecting the gusset plate and clamp with said axle.

7. A portable can holder for supporting a row of garbage cans or the like having side handles and removable lids, comprising a wheeled axle; a substantially vertical rectangular open frame carried by said axle at right angles thereto adjacent one end thereof; said axle being disposed within the front end of the frame a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a can; a supporting leg at the opposite end of the frame having a groundengaging cross-member, said leg being substantially equal to the radius of an axle wheel; an extension of the top of the frame at the end thereof opposite from the axle; and a handle pivoted to said extension adapted to swing downwardly into inoperative position when not in use; a pair of straps on opposite sides of the frame respectively connecting the top of the frame with opposite end portions respectively of the axle to maintain the vertical inclination of the frame; a row of spaced hooks on the top of the frame receiving the side handles respectively of a row of cans thereby suspending the row of cans in substantially vertical position above the ground level and substantially centered on the axle with the lower peripheries of the cans engaging the bottom of the frame; eyebolts on the top of the frame disposed between respective pairs of cans, and a pair of chains anchored in each eyebelt and connected with the lids of each pairof cans respectively.

8. In a holder as set forth in claim 7, said frame being shiftable and said braces being reversible on the axle whereby the frame may be positioned on the axle adjacent either end of the axle to provide for right and left hand open storage are-as for the cans.

9. In a holder as set forth in claim 8, a gusset plate and clamp carried by the lower end of said frame; and said axle having series of holes therein adjacent each end for receiving bolts connecting the gusset plate and clamp with said axle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,651 10/1934 Wolfe 21171 2,448,456 8/ 1948 Niskanen et al. 248l56 2,522,778 9/ 1950 Cannon 248156 2,802,673 8/1957 Hazlett 28047.24 2,885,210 10/1958 Joyce 28047.l9 2,929,512 3/1960 McDougle 21171 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE CAN HOLDER FOR SUPPORTING A ROW OF GARBAGE CANS OR THE LIKE HAVING SIDE HANDLES ARE REMOVABLE LIDS, COMPRISING A WHEELED AXLE; A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL RECTANGULAR OPEN FRAME CARRIED BY SAID AXLE AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF; A PAIR OF STRAPS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FRAME RESPECTIVELY CONNECTING THE TOP OF THE FRAME WITH OPPOSITE END PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY OF THE AXLE TO MAINTAIN THE VERTICAL INCLINATION OF THE FRAME; A ROW OF SPACED HOOKS ON THE TOP OF THE FRAME RECEIVING THE SIDE HANDLES RESPECTIVELY OF A ROW OF CANS THEREBY SUSPENDING THE ROW OF CANS IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL POSITION ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL AND SUBSTANTIALLY CENTERED ON THE AXLE WITH THE LOWER PERIPHERIES OF THE CANS ENGAGING THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME; MEMBERS ON THE TOP OF THE FRAME DISPOSED BETWEEN RESPECTIVE PAIRS OF CANS; AND A PAIR OF CHAINS ANCHORED IN EACH MEMBER AND CONNECTED WITH THE SIDE OF EACH PAIR OF CANS RESPECTIVELY. 